1 Blessed are those who consider the poor and needy; ♦
the Lord will deliver them in the time of trouble.
2 The Lord preserves them and restores their life,
that they may be happy in the land; ♦
he will not hand them over to the will of their enemies.
3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed; ♦
their sickness, Lord, you will remove.
4 And so I said, ‘Lord, be merciful to me; ♦
heal me, for I have sinned against you.’
5 My enemies speak evil about me, ♦
asking when I shall die and my name perish.
6 If they come to see me, they utter empty words; ♦
their heart gathers mischief;
when they go out, they tell it abroad.
7 All my enemies whisper together against me, ♦
against me they devise evil,
8 Saying that a deadly thing has laid hold on me, ♦
and that I will not rise again from where I lie.
9 Even my bosom friend, whom I trusted,
who ate of my bread, ♦
has lifted up his heel against me.
10 But you, O Lord, be merciful to me ♦
and raise me up, that I may reward them.
11 By this I know that you favour me, ♦
that my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 Because of my integrity you uphold me ♦
and will set me before your face for ever.
13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, ♦
from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.
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